Download AEBR 277 The influence of warming and acidification on coastal plankton in New Zealand and potential effects on green-lipped mussels

The effect of projected future temperature and pH on coastal phytoplankton and biogeochemistry was determined in four mesocosm experiments. Warmer temperature had greater impact than lower pH, increasing phytoplankton biomass, altering size and dominant group, and affecting particulate Carbon:Nitrogen and fatty acids. However, zooplankton were largely unaffected, and application of the phytoplankton responses in a model indicated generally positive impacts on green-lipped mussels.